Mechanical picker stick check and parallel motion for looms



MECHANICAL PICKER STICK CHECK AND PARALLEL MOTION FOR LOOMS The present invention relates to looms, and more particularly to an improved mechanical picker stick check and parallel motion therefor.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improved means for retarding and checking outward movement of the picker stick during the operation of the loom and improved means for maintaining the parallel shoe of a parallel motion for looms in proper engagement with the parallel base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical picker stick check, the use of which will dispense with the need for the conventional type of picker stick check strap.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a picker stick check which includes a torsion spring-actuated drum for maintaining the parallel shoe in engagement with the parallel base, and which also includes an improved linkage actuated by the movement of the shoe and coacting with a compressible spring retarding means to check the outward movement of the picker stick.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple in con struction, economical to manufacture, durable and reliable and efiicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a picker stick check and parallel motion according to the invention, the picker stick being broken away.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1, partly in section.

Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 and illustrating the checking of the picker stick when the same is at the outer end of its travel.

Figure 4 is a further sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing the picker stick at the inner end of its travel.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates generally a parallel base having an upper flat working face 11 for contact with the lower curved face 12 of a parallel shoe shown generally at 13. The parallel base 10 is provided at one end with a depending integral boss 14, having a bore 15 to receive one end of a conventional sword supporting rocker shaft, not shown. The parallel base 10 is provided with a relatively large longitudinal slot 16, extending throughout a major portion of its length, the opposite ends of the slot 16 terminating substantial distances inwardly of the ends of the parallel base, as shown clearly in Figures 3 and 4.

ited States Patent 2,876,803 Patented Mar. 10, 1959 The parallel shoe 13 rockably engages the fiat working face 11 of the parallel base, and the shoe 13 is of substantially the same width as the parallel base 10, so that the curved face 12 of the parallel shoe may engage the flat working face 11 upon opposite sides of the longitudinal slot 16. The parallel shoe 13 embodies toe and heel portions 17 and 18, and an upstanding shank portion 19 which is channel-shaped in cross section for receiving the lower end of the picker stick 20. A socket or seat 21 is also formed in the upper side of the parallel shoe 13 to receive the lower extremity of the picker stick 20, and the picker stick is rigidly secured to the parallel shoe by a bolt 22, carrying nuts 23, and an associated clamping plate 24. A set screw 25 is provided, having screw-threaded engagement within a screw-threaded opening in the shank 19, and carrying a lock nut 26. The inner end of the set screw 25 engages an element or plate 27 carried by the picker stick, and the set screw 25 is utilized for adjusting the angularity of the picker stick 20 relative to the parallel shoe 13.

The parallel shoe 13 is provided near its longitudinal center and at its transverse center and substantially directly below the picker stick 20 with an integral depending lug or extension 28, extending movably through the slot 16 of the parallel base 10 and for a substantial dis tance below the parallel base. A substantial distance forwardly of the lug 28, and near the forward end of the toe portion 17 and the forward end of the slot 16, a vertically swingable check lever 29 is positioned within the slot 16, with its central or hub portion 30 pivoted at 31 to the parallel base 10. The check lever 29 is a vertically elongated member, as shown in the drawings, and is inclined somewhat with respect to the vertical and arranged generally in advance of the parallel shoe 13. The check lever 29 embodies a depending inclined integral extension 32, disposed somewhat below the bottom of the lug 28 and forwardly thereof as shown in the drawings. The extension 32 is apertured to receive a pivot element 33, serving to pivotally secure the lower ends of a pair of inclined connecting links 34 with the extension 32. The opposite ends of the links 34 extend upwardly and adjacent to the lower portion of the lug 28, and are pivotally secured to the opposite sides of the lug by a pivot element 35.

The elongated check lever 29 further comprises an upstanding arm 36, integral therewith, and extending for a substantial distance above the flat working face 11 of the parallel base. The top of the arm 36 is spaced above and somewhat forwardly of the toe portion 17 of the parallel shoe 13, as shown in the drawings. The top of the arm 36 is pivoted at 37 to a substantially horizontal connecting link 38, having a forward section 39 and a rear section 40, adjustably interconnected as indicated at 41. The link portion 40 is pivotally connected at 42 with an elevated boss 43, formed integral with the parallel shoe 13. The connecting link 38 is spaced above the toe portion 17 of the parallel shoe 13 and is generally parallel to the parallel base 10. The link 38 is adjustable as to length by the screw-threaded adjusting means 41 shown in the drawings.

The check lever 29 further embodies a forwardly projecting generally horizontal arm or extension 44, integral therewith, and disposed above the boss 14, adjacent to one end of the parallel base 10. The arm 44 has an upper rounded face 45 for sliding contact with a lower head 46 of a generally vertical reciprocatory plunger 47, carrying a strong compressible spring 43.

The plunger 47 is mounted for reciprocation within an opening 49 in the horizontal portion 50 of an L-shaped mounting bracket 51, Figure tion 52 arranged adjacent to one side of the parallel base 10 and adjustably rigidly secured thereto by a bolt 53,.

5, having its vertical per-- The entire bracket 51 is rendered vertically adjustable, by the provision of a vertical slot 54 therein, which receives the bolt 53. Parallel ribs 55 and 56 are formed upon the adjacent side of the parallel base 10, on opposite side of the bracket 51 to prevent the bracket from turning or pivoting upon the bolt 53.

The plunger 47 has its upper end screw-threaded for the reception of nuts 57, the lower one of which is adapted to bear upon the top of a raised boss 58 formed upon the top of the horizontal portion 50 of bracket 51. The coil spring 43 has its upper end engaging the lower side of the horizontal bracket portion 50, and its lower end engaging the enlarged head 46 of the plunger. The spring thus serves to constantly urge the plunger 47 downwardly toward contact with the reaction arm 44 of the vertically swingable check lever 29. In addition to the adjustment afforded by the slot 54, the plunger 47 is adjus'table axially somewhat by means of the nuts 57. The plunger 47, spring 48 and associated elements carried by the bracket 51 thus constitute a resilient bumper or check means for the check lever 29, when the same turns in the clockwise direction, Figure 3, during the movement of the picker stick 20 toward the outer end of its travel.

The parallel base is further provided in its top and forwardly of the pivoted check lever 29 and below the arm 44 with a recess 58', receiving a rubber bumper or block 59, projecting somewhat above the upper surface of the parallel base 10. A coacting flat face 60 is formed upon the bottom of the arm 44, for contact with the rubber bumper 59 when the picker stick swings toward the inner end of its travel, Figure 4, and the arm 44 disengages the head 46 of plunger 47.

Means are provided to maintain the parallel shoe 13 in constant engagement with the working face 11 of the parallel base, to prevent rebounding of the picker stick as the shuttle is boxed, and to return the picker stick to its outer position, Figure 3, when the shuttle is expelled from the associated shuttle box. This means comprises a flexible strap 61 having its upper end secured at 62 to the top of the heel portion 18 of parallel shoe 13. The strap 61 extends downwardly below the parallel base and engages about the periphery of a spring-actuated drum 63, journaled for rotation upon a shaft or bolt 64, such shaft being bodily mounted upon a depending bracket 65, formed integral with one side of the parallel base 10 near the outer end thereof. The drum 63 is constantly urged in a clockwise direction, Figures 3 and 4, by a spiral torsion spring 66, having one end secured to the rotary drum 63 and its other end anchored to a nonretatable element of the drum assembly. The construction and operation of the spring actuated drum 63 and associated strap 61 is conventional, and preferably identical with the drum 33, strap 30 and associated elements disclosed in my prior Patent 2,696,223. It is believed therefore to be unnecessary to deal with the construction of the spring-actuated drum 63 and associated elements in further detail in the present application.

Operation With particular reference to Figure 3, as the picker stick 20 moves to the outermost position shown in Figure 3, due to the impact of the shuttle against the picker, the parallel shoe 13 will rock upon the working face 11 of the parallel base 10, and the heel portion 18 of the shoe will now be in contact with the parallel base.

As the picker stick thus rocks, the pivot element 42 above the parallel base and parallel shoe will be shifted outwardly or to the right in Figure 3, and the pivot ele merit 35 of the depending lug 28 which is arranged below the parallel base It) will be shifted inwardly or to the left in Figure 3. This action causes the connecting link 38 to pull or shift the upstanding arm 36 of the pivoted check lever 29 outwardly or to the right in Figure 3, and simultaneously, the connecting links 34 will push the depending extension 32 of the lever 29 inwardly or to the left. The entire elongated check lever 29 is thus positively turned clockwise in Figure 3 upon its pivot 31, and the generally horizontal reaction arm 44 is elevated and engages the head 46 of the spring-pressed plunger 47. When this occurs, the spring 48 is compressed and the spring and plunger resiliently and effectively check or retard the outward movement of the picker stick 26 in the desired manner. As previously stated, a number of adjustments are provided so that exactly the desired checking action may be implemented. The connecting link 38 may be adjusted longitudinally through the medium of the screw-threaded means 41. The plunger 47 may likewise be axially adjusted by the raising or lowering of the nuts 57. The entire bracket 51 carrying the plunger 47 and spring 48 may also be adjusted vertically through the medium of the slot 54.

When the picker stick 20 returns inwardly, Figure 4, the drum 63 will he turned by the strap 61 in opposition to the force exterted by the torsion spring 66, and the strap 61 will serve to maintain the curved face 12 of the parallel shoe in proper engagement with the flat working face 11. The strap 61 will also exert a degree of retarding or checking force upon the picker stick as the same approaches its innermost position shown in Figure 4. As the picker stick swings inwardly, the pivot elements 42 and 35 will be shifted in the opposite directions to those above-described in connection with Figure 3, and the links 33 and 34 will cause the pivoted check lever 29 to turn in the counter-clockwise direction upon its pivot 3t. This will cause a lowering of the reaction arm 44, and this arm will disengage the head 46 of plunger 47 and have its lower face 60 brought into engagement with the rubber bumper 59, which will check or retard the inward movement of the picker stick as shown in Figure 4. Sub sequent to this, the strap 61 acting under the influence of the torsion spring 66 will tend to return the picker stick 25) toward its outer position, wherein the checking effect of the spring 48 and plunger 47 upon the reaction arm 44 again comes into play when the shuttle strikes the picker carried by the upper end of the picker stick.

it is thus seen that I have provided improved means to resiliently check the travel of the picker stick 20 in both directions of travel, and the check means are fully adjustable. Means are also provided to maintain the parallel shoe 13 in contact at all times with the working face 11 of the parallel base 10. Additionally, means are provided to automatically return the picker stick to the neutral position after the same has swung inwardly to the innermost position shown in Figure 4.

An important feature of the invention resides in the leverage system afforded by the. pivoted check lever 29 having the arms or extensions 32 and 36 extending well above and below the working face 11 of the parallel base. This construction, in conjunction with the connecting links 38 and 34 and. the generally horizontal reaction arm 4-4, affords the desired multiplied leverage or mechanical advantage, necessary to check the picker stick in a firm and yet gradual and resilient manner. Due to the connections of the links 38 and 34 with the picker stick above and below the working face 12 of the shoe 13, much of the strain upon the parallel shoe 13 proper is relieved, and in actual practice with the present construction, it has been found that breakage or failure of the parallel shoe 13, previously encountered in conventional parallel motions and check devices, has been eliminated.

The present invention is a distinct improvement over the picker stick check and parallel motion disclosed in my prior Patent 2,696,223, and the present construction is much simpler, involves fewer parts and is much more sturdy in construction than the corresponding mechanism in my mentioned prior patent. The coil spring 48 and associated plunger 47 has been found to exert a superior checking action uponthe picker stick 20. at the outer end of its travel than the corresponding strap and springactuated drum means employed in my prior Patent 2,696,223.

It has not previously been mentioned and should be mentioned here that the toe portion 17 of the parallel shoe 13 is slotted or bifurcated at 67, Figures 3 and 4, to prevent interference between the top portion 17 of the parallel shoe and the vertically swingable check lever 2 It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown or described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A picker stick check and parallel motion comprising a parallel base having a longitudinal slot, a parallel shoe rocka'bly mounted upon the parallel base and having a depending extension engaging through said slot, a picker stick carried by the parallel shoe, a strap secured to the heel portion of the parallel shoe, resilient drum means connected with said strap and serving to tension the strap in a manner so that the strap tends to rock the parallel shoe in a direction bringing the heel portion of the shoe into contact with the parallel base, a vertically swingable check lever mounted within said slot and pivoted to the parallel base and extending above and below the parallel base and disposed adjacent to the toe portion of the parallel shoe, a link interconnecting said depending extension of the parallel shoe and the lower end of said check lever, an adjustable link interconnecting the upper end of the check lever with the parallel shoe, the last-named link being spaced above the toe portion of the parallel shoe, a forwardly extending generally horizontal reaction arm secured to the check lever above the parallel base and adapted to be raised and lowered when the check lever is turned upon its pivot, resilient means engageable with the top of said reaction arm to check upward movement of the latter and thereby checking the outward movement of the picker stick, and a resilient bumper element mounted upon the parallel base below said reaction arm and engageable with the bottom of the reaction arm to check the downward movement of the same and thereby check the inward movement of the picker stick.

2. A picker stick check and parallel motion according to claim 1, and wherein said resilient means engageable with the top of the reaction arm is a reciprocatory plunger, a compressible coil spring associated with the plunger and urging the same downwardly, and a mounting bracket for the plunger and serving to guide the same during reciprocation and secured to said parallel base.

3. A picker stick check for a loom having a picker stick, a parallel shoe secured to the picker stick and a parallel base, said check comprising a vertically swingable check lever pivoted to the parallel base near the toe portion of said shoe and-extending above and below the parallel base and shoe, link means interconnecting the parallel shoe with the upper and lower ends of the check lever above and below the parallel base, a reaction arm carried by the check lever above the parallel base and extending substantially transversely of the check lever, a mounting bracket secured to the parallel base near the reaction arm, a generally vertical reciprocatory plunger mounted upon the mounting bracket above the reaction arm and having a lower head engageable with the top of the reaction arm, a compressible coil spring surrounding said plunger and having one end engaging said head and its opposite end engaging the mounting bracket and serving to urge the plunger toward engagement with said reaction arm, screw-threaded means for adjusting said plunger longitudinally, and means to adjust the mounting bracket substantially vertically upon the parallel base.

4. A picker stick check and parallel motion for looms comprising, a parallel base, a parallel shoe rockably engaging said base, a generally vertical check lever pivoted to the parallel base and having its ends extending above and below the parallel shoe, a depending connecting part carried by the parallel shoe and extending below the parallel base and shoe, an elevated connecting part carried by the parallel shoe, a first connecting link having one end pivoted to said elevated connecting part and its opposite end pivoted to the upper end of said check lever, a second connecting link having one end pivoted to said depending connecting part and its other end pivoted to the lower end of said check lever, movable reaction means moved by said check lever, resilient means engaged by the reaction means to oppose the movement of said reaction means in one direction, a resilient bumper element carried by the parallel base and engageable with the movable reaction means to oppose its movement in an opposite direction, and resilient means connected with the heel portion of the parallel shoe to maintain the parallel shoe in contact with the parallel base and also serving to return the parallel shoe and picker stick toward the outermost position of the picker stick.

5. A picker stick check for a loom having a picker stick, a parallel shoe secured to the picker stick, a parallel base engaging the parallel shoe, said check comprising a generally vertical check lever pivoted to the parallel base near the toe portion of the parallel shoe and having ends extending above and below the parallel base and shoe, said parallel shoe having a depending connecting part and an elevated connecting part, links interconnecting the upper and lower ends of the check lever with the elevated and depending connecting parts, reaction means movable with the pivoted check lever, a mounting bracket secured to the parallel base near said reaction means, resilient means carried by the bracket, said resilient means being engaged by the reaction means when the reaction means is moved in one direction, and a resilient bumper element mounted upon the parallel base and engaged by the reaction means when the reaction means is moved in an opposite direction.

6. A picker stick check and parallel motion for looms, comprising a parallel base having a longitudinal slot, a parallel shoe mounted upon said parallel base and having a depending extension passing through said slot and projecting below the parallel base, a generally vertical check lever pivotally mounted upon the parallel base and arranged within said slot and having its ends extending above and below the parallel base, a first link interconnecting said check lever and parallel shoe near the top of the check lever, a second link interconnecting said depending extension of the parallel shoe and the lower end of the check lever, reaction means movable with the check lever, and resilient means engaged by the reaction means when the check lever is moved in one direction.

7. A picker stick check and parallel motion for looms, comprising a parallel base, a parallel shoe mounted upon said parallel base and having a depending extension, a generally vertical check lever pivotally mounted upon the parallel base and having its ends extending above and below the parallel base, a first link interconnecting said check lever and parallel shoe near the top of the check lever, a second link interconnecting said depending extension of the parallel shoe and the lower end of the check lever, reaction means movable with the check lever, and resilient means engaged by the reaction means when the check lever is moved in one direction to oppose such movement of the check lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 47,517 Cady May 2, 1865 1,323,055 Hirschmann Nov. 25, 1919 2,490,301 Higginson Dec. 6, 1949 

